The federal government holds an evening ceremony on Parliament Hill on the eve of Canada's first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The new federal statutory holiday on September 30 honours the Indigenous children who died while attending residential schools, survivors, families, and communities affected by the legacy of Canada's residential school system. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among those taking part in the event in Ottawa. He is joined by Savanna McGregor, acting Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishnabeg Nation, Elder Claudette Commanda, and residential school survivors Celine Thusky, Elder Levinia Brown and Jimmy Durocher. The establishment of a statutory holiday was one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action for the government.
